Hope you’re enjoying your week as we ease into the winter months. In the past couple of newsletters I’ve described the hustle and bustle of the chili pepper harvest season. I feel like the mania that built up during summer peaked a couple weeks ago at the NYC Hot Sauce Expo.

The event was everything we hoped for with lots of engagement with hot sauce enthusiasts and makers. We gave out more samples of Craic Sauce over a two day period than ever before, receiving lots of positive feedback, especially with our Brian Boru’s Curry sauce.  

We’re kicking the October Craft Hot Sauce newsletter off with some sounds, images, and the hum of harvest season!

Check out what has been a pretty accurate representation of a day in the life for me and the craic crew this harvest season.

It's been a physical and mental grind of late, but we're learning every hour, making quality hot sauce, and feeling fortunate to be around peppers, farms and people excited for flavor and hot sauce!

Happy Harvest Season! There is so much excitement and growth with hot sauce and chili peppers this time of year. Have you been trying anything new or exciting of late? I’m always interested in hearing about cool peppers or favorite recipes that crop up! Here are a few pictures from the last few weeks of what I've been making and picking!

Hi there, We got some big news! Craft Hot Sauce is shifting its focus to craft wine! Over the years, we've burned off most of our taste buds, tried all the hot sauces worth trying, and are now moving onto something more sophisticated. Vino 🍷 Our first review, Barefoot Wine's Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019.

Our newsletter this month brings together a diverse set of interests and unique journeys, that all connect with a passion for local food and hot sauce.

We start at Kitchen Garden Farm, in Western Mass. If you're interested in learning more about farming, going down the path that people say is impossible, and learning about building community and a crew, tune in to this episode of the Craft Hot Sauce Podcast!

Earlier this morning, I dove into some spreadsheets planning out my first pepper plot. A couple weeks ago at my winter farmers market, I met Max, a recently retired individual who has been gardening for 30 years and started farming small plots in the town over from me.

This month I wanted to share a little bit about confidence and even take a crack at explaining where my electric buzz of passion comes from. I thought it was an appropriate time to share, as many of us are searching for inspiration as we come into the winter months.

There’s nothing quite like the vibrant colors of freshly harvested peppers glistening out in the sun. A pepper harvest tradition that started with 150 habanero and ghost peppers in my parent's garden in 2014 has steadily evolved into over 900 pounds of locally harvested organic peppers in 2020. 

Hey there! Pepper harvest season is officially underway. I love seeing the combination of the vibrant colors of peppers and fresh produce that eventually blend together, creating a fresh homemade hot sauce. For many, the idea of creating their own hot sauce is planted in their mind during harvest season.

Hey there! How is it August already? Before you put your grill away for the summer, we curated three summer-themed craft hot sauce boxes for you to explore. (Image) I just heard that if you drink hot tea on a scorching hot day, it actually makes you feel cooler.

Wow, what an emotional last few months. These feelings have been difficult to put into words, but we must embrace our loved ones and speak out against hate. 

Upon reflection, there have been too many times in my life where I have been quiet on the sidelines, disagreeing with actions but not standing up for the victims right then when they needed it most. I promise that the next time I see someone in need, I will stand up for them, and I also urge you to take action towards creating a more inclusive world, free of racism.